Wigglesworth sports some clear bruising on her neck, while Burley reveals her bruised right eye

'Kay is badly injured and may have to be treated in hospital for a suspected fracture on her cheekbone. She was in such a bad way that I think even Naomi noticed in the courtroom.'

But another witness, who saw the second half on the incident, said: 'Kay Burley had her hands around the photographer's neck. It was really, really vicious.

'The only way the photographer stopped her was by pulling her sunglasses off. 'She has got marks around her throat.' It is claimed that Miss Burley and the photographer were taken to one side by the police about the incident.

Miss Wigglesworth could not be contacted yesterday. But the Associated Press said in a brief statement: 'Kirsty is sure that she’s not the one who bumped Miss Burley in what was clearly a chaotic situation.'

The media may be surrounding Naomi Campbell, but the real action is taking place on the far right

Miss Burley today put a brave face on the incident, arriving at Royal Ascot seemingly having made no attempt to disguise her injury.

The presenter, who has previously starred in ITV's Dancing on Ice, usually anchors Afternoon Live With Kay Burley.

She is one of the most prominent faces on the channel.

Asked about the incident, she said: 'As far as I am aware I did not put my hands around her neck. I was hit in the face with a camera. You can still see the injury on my forehead and like anyone else would do I just put my hands up. If I did anything else, then I apologise.'

Burley started her journalism career on a local newspaper in her hometown of Wigan.

Before joining Sky News in 1988, she worked for the Sunday Mirror and TV-am as well as local radio and television stations.

She was live on air in 2001 when the Twin Towers in New York were attacked.

The presenter currently anchors Afternoon Live with Kay Burley each weekday and is the only remaining reporter still working for Sky News from its original line-up.